Helightedhislamp，examinedthebelt，unrippedit，andpouredoutthecontentsonhistable。
Theyweredazzling。Agreatmanylargepiecesofamethyst，andsomeofwhitetopazandrockcrystal；alargenumberofsmallerstones，carbuncles，chrysolites，andnotafewemeralds。Doddlookedatthemwithpleasure，sparklinginthelamplight。
\"Whatalot!\"saidhe。\"Iwonderwhattheyareworth!\"Hesentforthefirstmate，who，heknew，didalittleprivatebusinessinpreciousstones。\"Masterton，\"saidhe，\"obligemebycountingthesestoneswithme，andvaluingthem。\"
Mr。Mastertonstared，andhismouthwatered。However，henamedthevariousstonesandvaluedthem。Hesaidtherewasonestone，alargeemerald，withoutaflaw，thatwasworthaheavysumbyitself；andthepearls，veryfine:andlookingatthegreatnumber，theymustbeworthathousandpounds。
CaptainDoddthenenteredthewholebusinesscarefullyintheship\'slog:thelivingmanhedescribedthus:\"Aboutfivefeetsixinheight，andaboutfiftyyearsofage。\"Thenhedescribedthenotesandthestonesveryexactly，andmadeMasterton，thevaluer，signthelog。
Stainestookagooddealofegg-flipthatnight，andnextdayatesolidfood；buttheyquestionedhiminvain；hisreasonwasentirelyinabeyance:hehadbecomeaneater，andnothingelse。
Whenevertheygavehimfood，heshowedasortoffawninganimalgratitude。Othersentimenthehadnone，nordidwordsenterhismindanymorethanabird\'s。Andsinceitisnotpleasanttodwellonthewreckofafineunderstanding，IwillonlysaythattheylandedhimatCapeTown，outofbodilydanger，butweak，andhismind，toallappearance，ahopelessblank。
Theyburiedtheskeleton，——readtheserviceoftheEnglishChurchoveraMalabarheathen。
DoddtookStainestothehospital，andlefttwentypoundswiththegovernorofittocurehim。ButhedepositedStaines\'smoneyandjewelswithafriendlybanker，andbeggedthattheprincipalcashiermightseetheman，andbeabletorecognizehim，shouldheapplyforhisown。
Thecashiercameandexaminedhim，andalsotherubyringonhisfinger——apartinggiftfromRosa——andremarkedthiswasanewwayofdoingbusiness。
\"Why，itistheonlyone，sir，\"saidDodd。\"Howcanwegiveyouhissignature?Heisnotinhisrightmind。\"
\"Norneverwillbe。\"
\"Don\'tsaythat，sir。Letushopeforthebest，poorfellow。\"
Havingmadetheseprovisions，theworthycaptainweighedanchor，withawarmheartandagoodconscience。Yettheimageofthemanhehadsavedpursuedhim，andheresolvedtolookafterhimnexttimeheshouldcoalatCapeTown，homewardbound。
Stainesrecoveredhisstrengthinabouttwomonths；buthismindreturnedinfragments，andveryslowly。Foralong，longtimeherememberednothingthathadprecededhisgreatcalamity。Hismindstartedafresh，aidedonlybycertainfixedhabits；forinstance，hecouldreadandwrite:but，strangeasitmayappear，hehadnoideawhohewas；andwhenhismemoryclearedalittleonthathead，hethoughthissurnamewasChristie，buthewasnotsure。
Nevertheless，thepresidingphysiciandiscoveredinhimacertainprogressofintelligence，whichgavehimgreathopes。Inthefifthmonth，havingshownamarkedinterestintheothersickpatients，coupledwithadispositiontobecarefulandattentive，theymadehimanurse，orratherasub-nurseunderthespecialordersofaresponsiblenurse。Ireallybelieveitwasdoneatfirsttoavoidthealternativeofsendinghimadrift，ortransferringhimtotheinsanewardofthehospital。Inthiscongenialpursuitheshowedsuchwatchfulnessandskill，thatbyandbytheyfoundtheyhadgotatreasure。Twomonthsafterthathebegantotalkaboutmedicine，andastonishedthemstillmore。Hebecamethepuzzleoftheestablishment。Thedoctorandsurgeonwouldconversewithhim，andtryandleadhimtohispastlife；butwhenitcametothat，heusedtoputhishandstohisheadwithafaceofgreatdistress，anditwasclearsomeimpassablebarrierlaybetweenhisgrowingintelligenceandthepasteventsofhislife。Indeed，ononeoccasion，hesaidtohiskindfriendthedoctor，\"Thepast!——ablackwall!ablackwall!\"
Tenmonthsafterhisadmissionhewaspromotedtobeanattendant，withasalary。
Heputbyeveryshillingofit；forhesaid，\"Avoicefromthedarkpasttellsmemoneyiseverythinginthisworld。\"
Adiscussionwasheldbytheauthoritiesastowhetherheshouldbeinformedhehadmoneyandjewelsatthebankornot。
Uponthewhole，itwasthoughtadvisabletopostponethisinformation，lestheshouldthrowitaway；buttheytoldhimhehadbeenpickedupatsea，andbothmoneyandjewelsfoundonhim；theywereinsafehands，onlythepersonwasawayforthetime。Still，hewasnottolookuponhimselfaseitherfriendlessormoneyless。
Atthiscommunicationheshowedanalmostchildishdelight，thatconfirmedthedoctorinhisopinionhewasactingprudently，andfortherealbenefitofanamiableandafflictedperson，notyettobetrustedwithmoneyandjewels。
CHAPTERXVII。
Inhisqualityofattendantonthesick，Stainessometimesconductedaweakbutconvalescentpatientintotheopenair；andhewasalwayspleasedtodothis，fortheairoftheCapecarrieshealthandvigoronitswings。Hehadseenitsfinerecreativeproperties，andhedivined，somehow，thatthemindsofconvalescentsoughttobeamused，andsoheoftenbeggedthedoctortolethimtakeaconvalescentabroad。Soonerthannot，hewoulddrawthepatientseveralmilesinaBathchair。Heratherlikedthis；forhewasaHercules，andhadnoegotismorfalsepridewherethesickwereconcerned。
Now，theseopen-airwalksexertedabeneficialinfluenceonhisowndarkenedmind。Itisonethingtostrugglefromideatoidea；itisanotherwhenmaterialobjectsminglewiththeretrospect；theyseemtosupplystepping-stonesinthegradualresuscitationofmemoryandreason。
Theshipsgoingoutofportweresuchasteppingstonetohim，andavagueconsciousnesscamebacktohimofhavingbeeninaship。
Unfortunately，alongwiththisreminiscencecameadesiretogoinoneagain；andthissoweddiscontentinhismind，andthemorethatmindenlarged，themorehebegantodislikethehospitalanditsconfinement。Thefeelinggrew，andbadefairtodisqualifyhimforhishumbleoffice。Theauthoritiescouldnotfailtohearofthis，andtheyhadalittlediscussionaboutpartingwithhim；buttheyhesitatedtoturnhimadrift，andtheystilldoubtedtheproprietyoftrustinghimwithmoneyandjewels。
Whilematterswereinthisstatearemarkableeventoccurred。Hedrewasickpatientdowntothequayonemorning，andwatchedthebusinessoftheportwiththekeenestinterest。Ashipatanchorwasunloading，andagreatheavyboatwasstickingtohersidelikeablackleech。Presentlythisboatcameaway，andmovedsluggishlytowardstheshore，ratherbyhelpofthetidethanofthetwomenwhowentthroughtheformofpropellingherwithtwomonstroussweeps，whileathirdsteeredher。ShecontainedEnglishgoods:
agriculturalimplements，somecases，fourhorses，andabuxomyoungwomanwithathoroughEnglishface。Thewomanseemedalittleexcited，andasshenearedthelanding-place，shecalledoutinjocundtonestoayoungmanontheshore，\"Itisallright，Dick；
theyarebeauties，\"andshepattedthebeastsaspeopledowhoarefondofthem。
Shesteppedlightlyashore，andthencametheslowerworkoflandingherimports。Shebustledabout，likeahenoverherbrood，andwasn\'talwaystalking，butputinherwordeverynowandthen，nevercrossly，andalwaystothepoint。
Staineslistenedtoher，andexaminedherwithasortofpuzzledlook；butshetooknonoticeofhim；herwholesoulwasinthecattle。
Theygotthethingsonboardwellenough；butthehorseswerefrightenedatthegangway，andjibbed。Thenamanwasfordrivingthem，andpokedoneoftheminthequarter；hesnortedandreareddirectly。
\"Manalive!\"criedtheyoungwoman，\"thatisnottheway。Theyaredocileenough，butfrightened。Encourage\'em，andlet\'emlookatit。Give\'emtime。Morehastelessspeed，withtimorouscattle。\"
\"Thatisaverypleasantvoice，\"saidpoorStaines，rathermoredictatoriallythanbecamethepresentstateofhisintellect。Headdedsoftly，\"atruewoman\'svoice；\"thengloomily，\"avoiceofthepast——thedark，darkpast。\"
Atthisspeechintrudingitselfupontheshortsentencesofbusiness，therewasaroaroflaughter，andPhoebeFalconturnedsharplyroundtolookatthespeaker。Shestaredathim；shecried\"Oh!\"andclaspedherhands，andcoloredallover。\"Why，sure，\"
saidshe，\"Ican\'tbemistook。Thoseeyes——\'tisyou，doctor，isn\'tit?\"
\"Doctor?\"saidStaines，withapuzzledlook。\"Yes；Ithinktheycalledmedoctoronce。I\'manattendantinthehospitalnow。\"
\"Dick!\"criedPhoebe，innolittleagitation。\"Comeherethisminute。\"
\"What，aforeIgetthehorsesashore?\"
\"Ay，beforeyoudoanotherthing，orsayanotherword。Comehere，now。\"Sohecame，andshetoldhimtotakeagoodlookattheman。
\"Now，\"saidshe，\"whoisthat?\"
\"BlestifIknow，\"saidhe。
\"What，notknowthemanwhosavedyourownlife!Oh，Dick，whatareyoureyesworth?\"
Thisdiscoursebroughtthefewpersonswithinhearingintoonebandofexcitedstarers。
Dicktookagoodlook，andsaid，\"I\'mblestifIdon\'t，though；itisthedoctorthatcutmythroat。\"
Thisstrangestatementdrewforthquiteashoutofejaculations。
\"Oh，betterbreathethroughaslitthannotatall，\"saidDick。
\"Savedmylifewiththatcut，hedid，didn\'the，Pheeb?\"
\"Thathedid，Dick。Dearheart，IhardlyknowwhetherIaminmysensesornot，seeinghima-lookingsoblank。Youtryhim。\"
Dickcameforward。\"Sureyourememberme，sir。DickDale。Youcutmythroat，andsavedmylife。\"
\"Cutyourthroat!why，thatwouldkillyou。\"
\"Notthewayyoudoneit。Well，sir，youain\'tthemanyouwas，thatisclear；butyouwasagoodfriendtome，andthere\'smyhand。\"
\"Thankyou，Dick，\"saidStaines，andtookhishand。\"Idon\'trememberYOU。Perhapsyouareoneofthepast。Thepastisdeadwalltome——adarkdeadwall，\"andheputhishandstohisheadwithalookofdistress。
Everybodytherenowsuspectedthetruth，andsomepointedmysteriouslytotheirownheads。
Phoebewhisperedaninquirytothesickperson。
Hesaidalittlepettishly，\"AllIknowis，heisthekindestattendantintheward，andveryattentive。\"
\"Oh，then，heisinthepublichospital。\"
\"Ofcourseheis。\"
Theinvalid，withtheselfishnessofhisclass，thenbeggedStainestotakehimoutofallthisbustledowntothebeach。Stainescompliedatonce，withtheutmostmeekness，andsaid，\"Good-by，oldfriends；forgivemefornotrememberingyou。Itismygreatafflictionthatthepastisgonefromme——gone，gone。\"Andhewentsadlyaway，drawinghissickchargelikeapatientmule。
PhoebeFalconlookedafterhim，andbegantocry。
\"Nay，nay，Phoebe，\"saidDick；\"don\'tyetakeonaboutit。\"
\"Iwonderatyou，\"sobbedPhoebe。\"Goodpeople，I\'mfonderofmybrotherthanheisofhimself，itseems；forIcan\'ttakeitsoeasy。Well，theworldisfulloftrouble。Letusdowhatweareherefor。ButIshallprayforthepoorsouleverynight，thathismindmaybegivenbacktohim。\"
Sothenshebustled，andgaveherselftogettingthecattleonshore，andthethingsputonboardherwagon。
Butwhenthiswasdone，shesaidtoherbrother，\"Dick，Ididnotthinkanythingonearthcouldtakemyheartoffthecattleandthethingswehavegotfromhome；butIcan\'tleavethiswithoutgoingtothehospitalaboutourpoordeardoctor:anditislateformakingastart，anyway——andyoumustn\'tforgetthenewspapersforReginald——heissofondofthem——andyoumustcontrivetohaveonesentoutregularafterthis，andI\'llgotothehospital。\"
Shewent，andsawtheheaddoctor，andtoldhimhehadgotanattendantthereshehadknowninEnglandinaverydifferentcondition，andshehadcometoseeiftherewasanythingshecoulddoforhim——forshefeltverygratefultohim，andgrievedtoseehimso。
Thedoctorwaspleasedandsurprised，andputseveralquestions。
ThenshegavehimaclearstatementofwhathehaddoneforDickinEngland。
\"Well，\"saidthedoctor，\"Ibelieveitisthesameman；for，nowyoutellmethis——yes，oneofthenursestoldmeheknewmoreaboutmedicinethanshedid。Hisname，ifyouplease。\"
\"Hisname，sir?\"
\"Yes，hisname。Ofcourseyouknowhisname。IsitChristie?\"
\"Doctor，\"saidPhoebe，blushing，\"Idon\'tknowwhatyouwillthinkofme，butIdon\'tknowhisname。Lawsforgiveme，Ineverhadthesensetoaskit。\"
Ashadeofsuspicioncrossedthedoctor\'sface。
Phoebesawit，andcoloredtothetemples。\"Oh，sir，\"shecriedpiteously，\"don\'tgofortothinkIhavetoldyoualie!whyshouldI?andindeedIamnotofthatsort，norDickneither。Sir，I\'llbringhimtoyou，andhewillsaythesame。Well，wewereallinterrorandconfusion，andImethimaccidentallyinthestreet。Hewasonlyacustomertillthen，andpaidreadymoney，sothatishowIneverknewhisname，butifIhadn\'tbeenthegreatestfoolinEngland，Ishouldhaveaskedhiswife。\"
\"What!hehasawife?\"
\"Ay，sir，theloveliestladyyoueverclappedeyeson，andheisalmostashandsome；haseyesinhisheadlikejewels；\'twasbythemIknewhimonthequay，andIthinkheknewmyvoiceagain，saidasgoodashehadhearditinpasttimes。\"
\"Didhe?Thenwehavegothim，\"criedthedoctorenergetically。
\"La，Sir。\"
\"Yes；ifheknowsyourvoice，youwillbeableintimetoleadhismemoryback；atleast，Ithinkso。DoyouliveinCapeTown?\"
\"Dearheart，no。Iliveatmyownfarm，ahundredandeightymilesfromthis。\"
\"Whatapity!\"
\"Why，sir?\"
\"Well——hum!\"
\"Oh，ifyouthinkIcoulddothepoordoctorgoodbyhavinghimwithme，youhaveonlytosaytheword，andouthegoeswithDickandmeto-morrowmorning。Weshouldhavestartedforhometo-
night，butforthis。\"
\"Areyouinearnest，madam?\"saidthedoctor，openinghiseyes。
\"Wouldyoureallyencumberyourselfwithapersonwhosereasonisinsuspense，andmayneverreturn?\"
\"Butthatisnothisfault，sir。Why，ifadoghadsavedmybrother\'slife，I\'dtakeithome，andkeepitallitsdays；andthisisaman，andaworthyman。Oh，sir，whenIsawhimbroughtdownso，andhisbeautifuleyescloudedlike，myverybosomyearnedoverthepoorsoul；akindactdoneindearoldEngland，whocanseethemanintroublehere，andnotrepayit——ay，ifitcostone\'sblood。Butindeedheisstrongandhealthy，andhandsarealwaysscarceourway，andtheoddsarehewillearnhismeatonewayort\'other；andifhedoesn\'t，why，allthebetterforme；Ishallhavethepleasureofservinghimfornoughtthatonceservedmeforneithermoneynorreward。\"
\"Youareagoodwoman，\"saidthedoctorwarmly。
\"There\'sbetter，andthere\'sworse，\"saidPhoebequietly，andevenalittlecoldly。
\"Moreofthelatter，\"saidthedoctordryly。\"Well，Mrs——?\"
\"Falcon，sir。\"
\"Weshallhandhimovertoyourcare:butfirst——justforform——ifyouareamarriedwoman，weshouldliketoseeDickhere:heisyourhusband，Ipresume。\"
Ploebelaughedmerrily。\"Dickismybrother；andhecan\'tbesparedtocomehere。Dick!he\'dsayblackwaswhiteifItoldhimto。\"
\"Thenletusseeyourhusbandaboutit——justforform。\"
\"Myhusbandisatthefarm。Icouldnotventuresofaraway，andnotleavehimincharge。\"Ifshehadsaid，\"Iwillnotbringhimintotemptation，\"thatwouldhavebeennearerthetruth。\"Letthatflystickonthewall，sir。WhatIdo，myhusbandwillapprove。\"
\"Iseehowitis。Youruletheroost。\"
Phoebedidnotreplypoint-blanktothat；shemerelysaid，\"Allmychickensarehappy，greatandsmall，\"andanexpressionoflofty，womanly，innocentprideilluminatedherfaceandmadeitsuperbforamoment。
Inshort，itwassettledthatStainesshouldaccompanyhernextmorningtoDale\'sKloofFarm，ifhechose。Oninquiry，itappearedthathehadjustreturnedtothehospitalwithhispatient。Hewassentfor，andPhoebeaskedhimsweetlyifhewouldgowithhertoherhouse，onehundredandeightymilesaway，andshewouldbekindtohim。
\"Onthewater?\"
\"Nay，byland；but\'tisafinecountry，andyouwillseebeautifuldeerandthingsrunningacrosstheplains，and\"——
\"ShallIfindthepastagain，thepastagain?\"
\"Ay，poorsoul，thatweshall，Godwilling。YouandI，wewillhuntittogether。\"
Helookedather，andgaveherhishand。\"Iwillgowithyou。
Yourfacebelongstothepast，sodoesyourvoice。\"
Hetheninquired，ratherabruptly，hadsheanychildren。Shesmiled。
\"Ay，thatIhave，theloveliestlittleboyyoueversaw。Whenyouareasyouusedtobe，youwillbehisdoctor，won\'tyou?\"
\"Yes，Iwillnursehim，andyouwillhelpmefindthepast。\"
PhoebethenbeggedStainestobereadytostartatsixinthemorning。SheandDickwouldtakehimupontheirway。
Whileshewastalkingtohimthedoctorslippedout，andtotellthetruthhewenttoconsultwithanotherauthority，whetherheshouldtakethisopportunityoftellingStainesthathehadmoneyandjewelsatthebank:hehimselfwashalfinclinedtodoso；buttheother，whohadnotseenPhoebe\'sface，advisedhimtodonothingofthekind。\"Theyarealwaysshortofmoney，thesecolonialfarmers，\"saidhe；\"shewouldgeteveryshillingoutofhim。\"
\"Mostwould；butthisissuchanhonestface。\"
\"Well，butsheisamother，yousay。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，whatmothercouldbejusttoalunatic，withherownsweetangelbabestoprovidefor?\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidDr。\"Maternalloveisapttomodifytheconscience。\"
\"WhatIwoulddo，——Iwouldtakeheraddress，andmakeherpromisetowriteifhegetswell，andifhedoesgetwellthenwritetoHIM，andtellhimallaboutit。\"
Dr——actedonthisshrewdadvice，andorderedabundletobemadeupforthetravelleroutofthehospitalstores:itcontainedanicelightsummersuitandtwochangesoflinen。
CHAPTERXVIII。
Nextmorning，StainesandDickDalewalkedthroughthestreetsofCapeTownsidebyside。Dickfelttheuneasinessofasaneman，notfamiliarwiththementallyafflicted，whosuddenlyfindshimselfalonewithone。Insanityturnsmenoftenestintosheepandhares；butitdoesnowandthenmakethemwolvesandtigers；andthathassaddledtheinsaneingeneralwithacharacterforferocity。YoungDale，then，castmanyasuspiciousglanceathiscomrade，ashetookhimalong。Theseglanceswerereassuring:
Christopher\'sfacehadnolongerthemobility，theexpressivechanges，thatmarkthesuperiormind；hiscountenancewasmonotonous:buttheoneexpressionwasengaging；therewasasweet，patient，lamb-likelook:thegloriouseyealittletroubledandperplexed，butwonderfullymild。DickDalelookedandlooked，andhisuneasinessvanished。Andthemorehelooked，themoredidacertainwondercreepoverhim，andmakehimscarcebelievethethingheknew；viz。，thatalearneddoctorhadsavedhimfromthejawsofdeathbyrareknowledge，sagacity，courage，andskillcombined:andthatmightymanofwisdomwasbroughtdowntothislamb，andwouldgonorth，south，east，orwest，withsweetandperfectsubmission，evenashe，DickDale，shouldappoint。WiththesereflectionshonestDickfelthiseyesgetalittlemisty，and，tousethosewordsofScripture，whichnothingcansurpassorequal，hisbowelsyearnedovertheman。
AsforChristopher，helookedstraightforward，andsaidnotawordtilltheyclearedthetown；butwhenhesawthevastfloweryvale，andthefar-offviolethills，likeScotlandglorified，heturnedtoDickwithanineffableexpressionofsweetnessandgoodfellowship，andsaid，\"Oh，beautiful!We\'llhuntthepasttogether。\"
\"We——will——SO，\"saidDick，withasturdyandindeedalmostasternresolution。
Now，thishesaid，notthathecaredforthepast，norintendedtowastethepresentbygoinguponitspredecessor\'strail；buthehadcometoaresolution——fullthreeminutesago——tohumorhiscompaniontothetopofhisbent，andsay\"Yes\"withhypocriticalvigortoeverythingnotdirectlyandimmediatelydestructivetohimandhis。
Thenextmomenttheyturnedacornerandcameupontherestoftheirparty，hithertohiddenbytheapricothedgeandaturningintheroad。Ablue-blackKafir，withtwoyellowHottentotdrivers，manandboy，washarnessing，inthemostprimitivemode，fourhorsesontothesixoxenattachedtothewagon；andthehorseswereflatteningtheirears，andotherwiseresentingtheincongruity。Meantimeafourthfigure，acolossalyoungKafirwoman，lookedonsuperiorwithfoldedarms，likeasableJunolookingdownwiththatabsolutecomposureuponthestrugglesofmanandotheranimals，whichLucretiusandhismasterEpicurusassignedtotheDivinenature。Withoutjesting，thegrandeur，majesty，andreposeofthisfigurewereunsurpassableinnature，andsuchashavevanishedfromsculpturetwothousandyearsandmore。
DickDalejoinedthegroupimmediately，andsoonarrangedthematter。Meantime，Phoebedescendedfromthewagon，andwelcomedChristopherverykindly，andaskedhimifhewouldliketositbesideher，ortowalk。
Heglancedintothewagon；itwascoveredandcurtained，anddarkasacupboard。\"Ithink，\"saidhe，timidly，\"Ishallseemoreofthepastouthere。\"
\"Soyouwill，poorsoul，\"saidPhoebekindly，\"andbetterforyourhealth:butyoumustnotgofarfromthewagon，forI\'mafidget；
andIhavegotthecareofyounow，youknow，forwantofabetter。
Come，Ucatella；youmustridewithme，andhelpmesortthethings；
theyareallhiggledy-piggledy。\"Sothosetwogotintothewagonthroughthebackcurtains。ThentheKafirdriverflourishedhiskambok，orlongwhip，intheair，andmadeitcracklikeapistol，andthehorsesreared，andtheoxenstartedandslowlyboredinbetweenthem，fortheywhinnied，andkicked，andspreadoutlikeafanallovertheroad；butaflickortwofromtheterriblekamboksoonsentthembleedingandtremblingandrubbingshoulders，andtheoxen，mildlybutpersistentlygoringtheirrecalcitratinghaunches，theintelligentanimalswentahead，andrevengedthemselvesbybreakingtheharness。ButthatgoesforlittleinCapetravel。
Thebodyofthewagonwaslongandlowandverystout。Thetiltstrongandtight-made。Theroofinside，andmostofthesides，linedwithgreenbaize。Curtainsofthesametothelittlewindowandtheback。Therewasasortofholdliterallybuiltfullofpurchases；asmallfireproofsafe；hugeblocksofsalt；saws，axes，pickaxes，adzes，flails，toolsinnumerable，balesofwoolandlinenstuff，hams，andtwohundredemptysacksstrewnoverall。Inlargepigeon-holesfixedtothesideswerelightgoods，groceries，collars，glaringcottonhandkerchiefsforPhoebe\'saboriginaldomestics，sincenoteveryyeardidshegotoCapeTown，atwentydays\'journeybywagon:thingsdangledfromtheveryroof；butnohardgoodsthere，ifyouplease，tobatterone\'sheadinaspill。
Outsidewerelatticedgrooveswithtent，tent-poles，andrifles。
Greatpiecesofcork，andbagsofhayandcorn，hungdanglingfrommightyhooks——thelattertofeedthecattle，shouldtheybecompelledtocampoutonsomesterilespotontheVeldt，andmethinkstoactasbuffers，shouldthewholeconcernrolldownanullahorlittleprecipice，noveryuncommonincidentintheblessedregiontheymustpasstoreachDale\'sKloof。
Harnessmended；freshstart。TheHottentotsandKafirvociferatedandyelled，andmadetheunearthlyrowofadozenwildbeastswrangling:thehorsesdrewthebullocks，theythewagon；itcrawledandcreaked，anditsappendageswobbledfinely。
Slowlytheycreakedandwobbledpastapricothedgesanddetachedhousesandhuts，andgotintoanopencountrywithoutatree，buthereandthereastuntedcamel-thorn。
Thesoilwasarid，andgrewlittlefoodformanorbeast；yet，byasingularfreakofnature，itputforthabundantlythingsthathereathomewefindithardertoraisethanhomelygrassandoats；thegroundwasthicklycladwithflowersofdelightfulhues；pyramidsofsnoworrose-colorborderedthetrack；yellowandcrimsonstarsbejewelledtheground，andathousandbulbousplantsburstintoallimaginablecolors，andspreadarainbowcarpettothefootoftheviolethills；andallthisglowed，andgleamed，andglitteredinasunshiningwithincrediblebrightnessandpurityoflight，but，somehow，withoutgivingaheadacheormakingtheairsultry。
Christopherfelltogatheringflowers，andinterrogatingthepastbymeansofthem；forhehadstudiedbotany:thepastgavehimbacksomepitiablyvagueideas。Hesighed。\"Nevermind，\"saidhetoDick，andtappedhisforehead:\"itishere:itisonlylockedup。\"
\"Allright，\"saidDick；\"nothingislostwhenyouknowwhere\'tis。\"
\"Thisisabeautifulcountry，\"suggestedChristopher。\"Itisallflowers。Itislikethegardenof——thegardenof——lockedup。\"
\"Itisde——light——ful，\"repliedtheself-compelledoptimiststurdily。Butherenaturegaveway；hewasobligedtorelievehisagriculturalbilebygettingintothecartandcomplainingtohissister。\"\'Twilltakeusallourtimetocurehim。Hehavebeenbepraisingthisheresoil，whichitisonlyfittocleanthewomen\'skettles。\'Twouldn\'tfeedthreelarkstoanacre，Iknow；
no，NORHALFSOMANY。\"
\"Poorsoul!mayhaptheflowershavetookhiseye。Sithereabit，Dick。Iwanttotalktoyouaboutamanythings。\"
Whilethesetwowereconversing，Ucatella，whowasveryfondofPhoebe，butabhorredwagons，steppedoutandstalkedbytheside，likeanostrich，acamelopard，oraTaglioni；nordidtheeffortwithwhichshesubduedherstridetothepaceoftheprocessionappear:itwasthepoetryofwalking。Christopheradmireditamoment；butthenobleexpansetemptedhim，andhestrodeforthlikeagiant，hislungsinflatinginthegloriousair，andsoonleftthewagonfarbehind。
Theconsequencewasthatwhentheycametoahalt，andDickandPhoebegotouttoreleaseandwaterthecattle，therewasChristopher\'sfigureretiringintospace。
\"HancremaegretulitPhoebe，\"asmyoldfriendLivywouldsay。
\"Ohdear!ohdear!ifhestrayssofarfromus，hewillbeeatenupatnightfallbyjackals，orlions，orsomething。Oneofyoumustgoafterhim。\"
\"Mego，missy，\"saidUcatellazealously，pleasedwithanexcuseforstretchinghermagnificentlimbs。
\"Ay，butmayhaphewillnotcomebackwithYOU:willhe，Dick?\"
\"Thathewill，likealamb。\"Dickwantedtolookafterthecattle。
\"Yuke，mygirl，\"saidPhoebe，\"listen。Hehasbeenagoodfriendofoursintrouble；andnowheisnotquiterightHERE。Sobeverykindtohim，butbesureandbringhimback，orkeephimtillwecome。\"
\"Mebringhimbackalive，certainsure，\"saidUcatella，smilingfromeartoear。Shestartedwithasuddenglide，likeaboattakingthewater，andappearedalmosttosaunteraway，soeasywasthemotion；butwhenyoulookedatthegroundshewascovering，thestride，orglide，orwhateveritwas，wasamazing。
\"Sheseem\'dinwalkingtodevourtheway。\"
Christopherwalkedfast，butnothinglikethis；andashestoppedattimestobotanizeandgazeattheviolethills，andinterrogatethepast，shecameupwithhimaboutfivemilesfromthehalting-
place。
Shelaidherhandquietlyonhisshoulder，andsaid，withabroadgenialsmile，andamusicalchuckle，\"Ucatellacomeforyou。Missywanttospeakyou。\"
\"Oh!verywell；\"andheturnedbackwithher，directly；butshetookhimbythehandtomakesure；andtheymarchedbackpeaceably，insilence，andhandinhand。Buthelookedandlookedather，andatlasthestoppeddeadshort，andsaid，alittlearrogantly，\"Come，IknowYOU。YOUarenotlockedup；\"andheinspectedherpoint-blank。Shestoodlikeanantiquestatue，andfacedtheexamination。\"Youare\'thenoblesavage，\'\"saidhe，havingconcludedhisinspection。
\"Nay，\"saidshe。\"Ibethehousemaid。\"
\"Thehousemaid?\"
\"Iss，thehousemaid，Ucatella。Socomeon。\"Andshedrewhimalong，soreperplexed。
Theymetthecavalcadeamilefromthehalting-place，andPhoebeapologizedalittletoChristopher。\"Ihopeyou\'llexcuseme，sir，\"saidshe，\"butIamjustforalltheworldlikeahenwithherchickens；ifbutonestrays，I\'mallinafluttertillIgethimback。\"
\"Madam，\"saidChristopher，\"Iamveryunhappyatthewaythingsarelockedup。Pleasetellmetruly，isthis\'thehousemaid，\'or\'thenoblesavage\'?\"
\"Well，sheisboth，ifyougotothat，andthebestcreatureeverbreathed。\"
\"ThensheIS\'thenoblesavage\'?\"
\"Ay，sotheycallher，becausesheisblack。\"
\"Then，thankHeaven，\"saidChristopher，\"thepastisnotalllockedup。\"
Thatafternoontheystoppedataninn。ButDicksleptinthecart。
Atthreeinthemorningtheytooktheroadagain，andcreakedalongsupernaturallyloudunderapurplefirmamentstuddedwithhugestars，allbrightasmoons，thatlitthewayquiteclear，andshowedblackthingsinnumerableflittingtoandfro；thesemadePhoebeshudder，butwerenodoubtharmless；stillDickcarriedhisdoublerifle，andarevolverinhisbelt。
